The Monster He Made, The Woman She Became

' s fog of grief. She found Michael in the living room, cal

Don't worry, darling, everything wi

one. "I just want our day to be special. After

hael, but at the phone sitting on the coffee table. She snatched it

ichael roared, ju

screamed, her voice raw. "You're killing

ll. The impact knocked the wind out of her. He got in her face, his eyes blazing with a terrifyi

livia gasped, incredulous. "Wh

venomous whisper. "And your parents? They aren't even your real parents. Did you know that, Olivia? Your loving mother and fat

ue. It was just another one of his cruel lies, another tool to break her. B

you." He straightened up and walked over to a decorative chest in the c

her blood running c

her skin through the thin fabric of her shirt. She cried out, a sharp gasp of pain and

assault to answer it. It was Tiffany, calling back. "Michael? What happe

tly softening into one of deep affection. "Olivia

you?" Tiffany asked

king at his perfectly unblemished han

imaginary scratch on his wrist was more important t

have to punish her, Michael! You ha

hael cooed. "I'm handling it ri

his eyes glowing with a righteous, psychotic f

lash was a punishment not for what she had done, but for what Tif

he man she once loved, the man who was now her torturer. "Why?" she choked out

. "Love you? Of course, I love you. But I love Tiffany more. She is my good luck charm, my everythi

ed by my grandfather. He wanted to see if I could handle a woman, a family, before handing over the company. You wer

he said, his voice flat and final, "your life, your brot

painful than any lash. Worthless. Her lo